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Sports / Recreation

Rams hoping 'White Out' leads to upset of Bruins

September 12, 2012

The CSU volleyball team will be looking for some Moby Arena magic when they take on the defending national champs.

The CSU volleyball team will try to make history Saturday night when it takes on No. 2-ranked UCLA in a battle of two of the nation’s premier programs.

The Rams (7-3) will seek their biggest upset – and inspiration from a “White Out” crowd – at Moby Arena in the 7 p.m. match. CSU has never beaten a No. 1 or No. 2 team at home, but did beat the top-ranked team – ironically, UCLA – in 2000 on a neutral court.

“We like bringing top competition in here to entertain our fans because they truly appreciate it. Plus, we really compete well with these teams,” CSU coach Tom Hilbert said. “This is a great opportunity for our team – particularly the seniors – to play the defending national champions. It’s a win-win for us.”

Big crowd expected

CSU has a history of playing well against top teams in Moby. Last year, the Rams faced No. 5 Nebraska in their annual “White Out” game and rallied for a thrilling 3-2 win that was followed by hundreds of fans from the record crowd of 6,750 storming the court.

UCLA returns five of its top seven players from last year’s team, which won the school’s second national title. The Bruins opened the season as the nation’s top-ranked team but lost earlier this season to Nebraska, the current No. 1.

'We can beat anyone at Moby'

The Rams have won 14 consecutive home matches, including a 3-0 win Friday night over No. 12 Pepperdine. Hilbert said the Rams will have to be at their best against the Bruins.

“We’re a massive underdog but, honestly, we can beat anyone at Moby,” he said. “We’re going to have to block them well and hope that our loud crowd environment disturbs them. UCLA is a really a good team.”

Free T-shirts for first 750 fans

All fans are encouraged to wear white. The first 750 fans will get free white T-shirts.

Tickets are available online, at the McGraw Athletic Center or by calling, at (970) 491-7267.